São José de São Lázaro and São João do Souto, in Braga
Largo Carlos Amarante is in the parish of São José de São Lázaro and São João do Souto, city of Braga, northern Portugal.
In this square, two historic and imposing buildings stand out: the Church of São Marcos and the Church of Santa Cruz, and in the center there is a beautiful garden with a historic fountain and some green spaces, and has a stone-covered sidewalk.
The Hospital Church or Saint Mark's Church was built in the 18th century with a project by the architect Carlos Amarante, and at the top of the facade there are 13 statues representing: Saint Simon, Saint Bartholomew, Saint James the Lesser, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Andrew, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint James the Greater, Saint Thomas, Saint Philip, Saint Matthias and Saint Luke.
On the facade of the Church is the statue of Saint Mark, who is the patron saint of this temple and who was bishop of the Eastern Christian Church during the time of Emperor Constantine, and against the West façade of the building is the Baroque-style chapel of S. Bentinho.
In the Church of Santa Cruz we can see the beautiful 17th century façade where the Mannerist Baroque style predominates, and inside we can admire the tall nave and the gilded carvings.
Regarding this Church you can also hear one of the oldest legends known as “the matchmaking roosters” and the legend says that whoever discovers the three roosters carved in high relief on the facade of the sanctuary is guaranteed a marriage soon.
But if two of them are easily found, the third requires more concentration and patience, and is one of the main reasons why it attracts many visitors and tourists.
In Largo Carlos Amarante we find the Shopping Santa Cruz shopping center, the São José de São Lázaro and São João do Souto parish building, some cafes with large terraces and some shops.
In the past, there was the S. Geraldo cine-teatro here, that is, one of the oldest cinemas in the country, and it was in operation until the 80s, and currently the space will give way to the Media Arts Center dedicated to art, science and technology, and will be one of the pillars of Braga's candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2027.
In this square, two historic and imposing buildings stand out: the Church of São Marcos and the Church of Santa Cruz, and in the center there is a beautiful garden with a historic fountain and some green spaces, and has a stone-covered sidewalk.
The Hospital Church or Saint Mark's Church was built in the 18th century with a project by the architect Carlos Amarante, and at the top of the facade there are 13 statues representing: Saint Simon, Saint Bartholomew, Saint James the Lesser, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Andrew, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint James the Greater, Saint Thomas, Saint Philip, Saint Matthias and Saint Luke.
On the facade of the Church is the statue of Saint Mark, who is the patron saint of this temple and who was bishop of the Eastern Christian Church during the time of Emperor Constantine, and against the West façade of the building is the Baroque-style chapel of S. Bentinho.
In the Church of Santa Cruz we can see the beautiful 17th century façade where the Mannerist Baroque style predominates, and inside we can admire the tall nave and the gilded carvings.
Regarding this Church you can also hear one of the oldest legends known as “the matchmaking roosters” and the legend says that whoever discovers the three roosters carved in high relief on the facade of the sanctuary is guaranteed a marriage soon.
But if two of them are easily found, the third requires more concentration and patience, and is one of the main reasons why it attracts many visitors and tourists.
In Largo Carlos Amarante we find the Shopping Santa Cruz shopping center, the São José de São Lázaro and São João do Souto parish building, some cafes with large terraces and some shops.
In the past, there was the S. Geraldo cine-teatro here, that is, one of the oldest cinemas in the country, and it was in operation until the 80s, and currently the space will give way to the Media Arts Center dedicated to art, science and technology, and will be one of the pillars of Braga's candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2027.
